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Bring your “Chamber Dollars” to make an announcement
about your business or organization; see you there!
Upcoming Coffees:
March 1 – Hosted by USD-234 at the Fort Scott Middle School Flex Space
March 8 – Chamber Coffee, hosted by the Bourbon County Arts Council
March 15 – Briggs Automotive
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Local photographer Kenny Felt decided to get involved in bringing awareness to the human rights issue.
“I don’t know a lot, but I know enough to be scared of it,” Felt said.
“It’s hard to get a number of victims because it’s a hidden practice,” he said. “The victims aren’t known, have no voice or ability to speak out.”
“How many times have we seen something and did nothing,” Felt said. “This is my attempt to bring awareness.”
The red x symbol was designed to spark a conversation, he said.
February 22 is “Shine A Light On Slavery Day”.
“I don’t have the ability to do much, but I can take pictures and post them on Feb. 22,” Felt said.
He set a goal to get 50 photos of local people with a red x painted on them.
“More than that have joined in so far,” Felt said.
Each participant posts on their own social media.
“I will post a movie gallery on my Facebook page on Feb. 22,” he said.
To have a free photo taken by Felt to post on social media in support of this cause, he is available to take photos for this project at his studio 13 N. North Main:
Tuesday, Feb. 20 – 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Feb. 21 – 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; Thursday, Feb. 22 – 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
What is Human Trafficking?
Human trafficking is the criminal activity of holding another person for the purposes of exploitation through forced labor and sex trafficking, according to a Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) website: dol.ks.gov/HumanTrafficking.
Even here in Kansas, men, women, and children are forced to work for long hours under deplorable conditions for little or no pay without the freedom to leave, according to the KDOL website.
Notice to Victims of Human Trafficking
If you or someone you know is being forced to engage in any activity and cannot leave – whether it is commercial sex, housework, farm work or any other activity – call the toll-free National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline at 1‑888‑373‑7888 to access help and services, according to the website. The toll-free hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and available in many languages.
According to the Department of Homeland Security at dhs.gov/blue-campaign here are some common indicators to help recognize human trafficking:
Not all indicators listed above are present in every human trafficking situation, and the presence or absence of any of the indicators is not necessarily proof of human trafficking.
Community Christian Church hosted the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee Thursday.
The church is celebrating 45 years in Fort Scott.
Pastor Dusty Drake told the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce weekly coffee attendees “the most important treasure of the church is our people.”
Drake said the mission of the church is still to take people to the next step with Jesus Christ.
An upcoming Easter series will be accentuated by the congregation reading the book “Imagine Heaven”, by John Burke, Drake said.
“It explores the near-death experiences of 100s of people and puts together a picture of what happens when clinically dead,” he said.
The experiences line up with what scripture says about life after death, Drake said and Easter is the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
Church staff was introduced by Drake.
The staff includes Drake as the teaching and service pastor, Paul Martin as children’s and administrative pastor, Ian Johnson as the youth pastor, Marcy Reynolds adult ministry and pastoral care pastor.
Jamie Beckham is the administrative director and Jennifer Addington is the office receptionist, along with Stacey Atkins.
He welcomed those attending to the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services each Sunday.
Announcements for the week from Chamber attendees:
Officials met yesterday to redo a sentencing that brought it into compliance with the law.
Lawyers and Judge Amy Harth met in the small courtroom of the Bourbon County Courthouse Thursday morning to correct a sentencing error in the case of the State of Kansas VS Joseph Banker.
Bourbon County Attorney Jackie Spradling and Defense Attorney Chris Meek met with Judge Harth via teleconference, with defendentJoseph Banker also present in the courtroom.
At the earlier sentencing on Feb. 2, all parties gave statements regarding the sexual exploitation of a child charges against Banker, Harth said.
“Everything everyone said was taken into account,” Harth said. “It was compelling.”
At that time Judge Harth sentenced Banker to 60 months probation.
Meek, Spradling, and Harth have been corresponding via email since the sentencing, Meek said.
“Judge Harth gave the wrong probation during the sentencing (Feb.2),” Meek said in an interview earlier this week. “It should have been 36 months for probation and the post-release supervision is 60 months.”
Spradling agreed that Judge Harth inadvertently put 60 months probation, and the sentence should have been 36 months.
“I realized within five minutes of the mistake that day,” Judge Harth told the two attorneys Thursday. “The previous order was void. I am correcting it. ”
To view prior stories:
Banker Sentenced To 36 Months Probation
Court Hears From Mental Health Professionals in Banker Case
Lt. Governor Tracey Mann began his day in Fort Scott Thursday morning.
The newly appointed Kansas Lt. Governor went on a statewide tour, including two stops in Southeast Kansas.
Mann met with employees of Fort Scott Munitions, 523 E. Wall, for a tour of the business.
Fort Scott Munitions President Robbie Forester told FortScott.Biz the governor’s office requested the meeting with the business.
Fort Scott city officials Dave Martin, Rhonda Dunn, and Rachel Pruitt came to greet the lt. governor’s entourage.
To the employees of the business and the city officials, Mann said the focus of the newly formed team of Governor Jeff Colyer is “reform, jobs, and education.”
Communication and Policy Specialist Daniel Seitz said the tour is to visit small businesses and some community colleges to talk about Governor Colyer’s vision for Kansas’ future.
Following a short tour of the business, the entourage headed south to Columbus to view Crossland Construction Co.
To learn more about Fort Scott Munitions:
Velocity Tactics holds Grand Opening of Wall Street storefront
Fort Scott Munitions Consolidating Name
About Mann
Mann was selected Feb. 13 to be Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer’s Lt. Governor.
Tracey Mann is the managing director and principal of Newmark Grubb Zimmer, a commercial real estate company headquartered in Kansas City. Prior to this, Mann served as senior program director for the National Student Leadership Forum on Faith and Values, according to a press release.
Mann has previously served on the board of directors for the Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL) program and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce. He is also a board member of the City Teen Center, a non-profit educational facility serving children in Salina.
Tracey Mann is a fifth-generation Kansan from Quinter, Kansas. He regularly returns to work on the family farm.
He earned a degree in Agricultural Economics from Kansas State University in 2000, where he also served as Student Body President. In 1997, Tracey served as Jerry Moran’s first intern in Washington, DC.
Tracey, his wife, Audrey and their four children live in Salina, Kansas.
The “Tiny Houses” at 6th and Lowman streets are available for rent April 1.
Tuesday, Paint Creek Painting of Redfield workers were painting the outside of the four units. Cabinets were scheduled for this week, one of the painters said.
3RK, LLC are the property owners.
The two-bedroom one bath houses have less than 800 square feet each.
Each unit has off street parking, 36-inch wide doorways, with lawn and trash service provided.
All appliances are also provided.
For more information: 620-223-5598.
Court Appointed Special Advocates are needed to help neglected or abused children. Classes are starting soon.
Contact 620-223-2407.
The public opening of the new John Deere Tech Program at Fort Scott Community College was held at the site Feb. 9.
A hamburger lunch was provided by the college.
Attending were prospective students, local residents, business corporations, FSCC staff and Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce members.
Following the lunch were speeches and a ribbon cutting sponsored by the Fort Scott Chamber of Commerce.
Tours were given prior to the event for those interested.
A building north of the new John Deere Tech Program building was renovated for welding classes instruction. The program began in August, with Brandon McAdam, as the instructor.
The John Deere corporation supplies new and used tractors for training the students, said Dale Griffiths, tech program instructor.
Additional old tractors are supplied by dealers and individuals, he said.
Currently, there are 23 students in the program, mostly from Kansas and Missouri, Griffiths said.
“Ninety-five percent of the students will have a job waiting for them,” Griffiths said. “Technicians are the most demanded field in the ag. equipment business.”
Classes are in session from Monday through Thursday, Griffiths said.
“Most kids will travel back to work at their dealers,” he said.
In this program, students are required to work through a qualified dealership that provides paid internships throughout the program’s two years, according to information provided by FSCC.
After completing the program, students receive an associate of applied science degree and can transfer to Pittsburg State University to complete a four-year management option.
Many students choose to stay with their sponsoring dealerships to begin their career as a technician.
Federal loan and grant programs are available to students who qualify. For more information contact the financial aid office at 620-223-2700 or visit fortscott.edu.
Joseph Banker, a former youth pastor at a Fort Scott church, was sentenced Feb. 2 for sexual exploitation of a child.
“The judge granted our request for probation,” Chris Meek, Banker’s defense attorney said in an interview.
“There were victims who made statements (during the sentencing) and their parents,” Meek said.
“My client’s wife and my client made statements to the court.”
“It was emotional,” he said.
“I absolutely think that the judge made the correct decision,” Meek said.
Following the Feb. 2 sentencing, Judge Amy Harth requested the court have another meeting, Bourbon County Prosecuting Attorney Jackie Spradling said in an interview.
Meek, Spradling, and Harth have been corresponding via email since the sentencing, Meek said.
“Judge Harth gave the wrong probation during the sentencing (Feb.2),” Meek said Monday. “It should have been 36 months for probation and the post-release supervision is 60 months.”
“Judge Harth inadvertently put 60, it should’ve been 36 months,” Spradling said. “We’ll have to redo that….there is no date for undoing that (yet).”
Banker pleaded No Contest to:
Sexual exploitation of a child to promote performance with a child less than 18 years old, with a violation date of Aug. 1, 2009.
Sexual exploitation of a child to promote performance with a child less than 18 years of age, with a violation date of Nov. 1, 2009.
Both of these charges are Severity Level 5 Person Felony.
The following charges were dismissed:
Electronic sexual exploitation of a child 14 to less than 16 years of age, violation date Sept. 21, 2009.
Sexual battery, violation date Nov. 1, 2009.
Click here to see previous stories:
https://fortscott.biz/news/banker-pleads-no-contest
Court Hears From Mental Health Professionals in Banker Case
The public often is uninformed about what the sexual offender must do following sentencing.
Here are some of the highlights from the Kansas Public Offender Registry. To see the full duties of the offender: https://www.kbi.ks.gov/registeredoffender/FAQ.aspx#duties
The offender must register with each registering law enforcement agency in the county or location of jurisdiction. Each time the offender must be photographed, pay a registration fee of $20, and complete the registration form with all information and updated information required for registration as provided in K.S.A. 22-4907.
The offender is required to report four times a year in person to the registering law enforcement agency in the county or location of the jurisdiction where they reside, maintain employment, or attend school. After initial registration, they must report in their birth month and every third, sixth, and ninth month occurring before and after.
The offender must register in person upon any commencement, change or termination of residence location, employment status, school attendance or other information within three days to the registering law enforcement agency or agencies where last registered and provide a written notice to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
The offender’s driver’s license and identification card shall indicate that they are a registered offender. If maintaining a primary residence in Kansas, they must surrender all other driver’s licenses and identification cards from other states, territories, and the District of Columbia, except if they or an immediate family member is maintaining active duty in any branch of the United States military.
If this is the offenders first adult conviction, they must register for fifteen (15) years unless a longer term is specified or present term limits are amended by statute for any of the following:
Sexual battery, Adultery if one party is less than 18 years of age, Patronizing a prostitute if one party is less than 18 years of age, Lewd and lascivious behavior if one party is less than 18 years of age, Capital murder, Murder in the first degree, Murder in the second degree, Voluntary manslaughter, Involuntary manslaughter, Criminal restraint if the victim is less than 18 years of age, Any act which has been determined beyond a reasonable doubt to have been sexually motivated, Conviction of any person felony and the court makes a finding on the record that a deadly weapon was used in the commission of such person felony, Unlawful manufacture or attempting such of any controlled substance or controlled substance analog, Possession of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, red phosphorus, lithium metal, sodium metal, iodine, anhydrous ammonia, pressurized ammonia or phenylpropanolamine, or their salts, isomers or salts of isomers with intent to use the product to manufacture a controlled substance, Unlawful sale of or distribution of a controlled substance. This time period does not include any time incarcerated in any jail or correctional facility or any period of non-compliance with the requirements of the Act.
If convicted as an adult of a second or subsequent offense(s) covered by the Act, they are required to register for life. Any conviction for an attempt, conspiracy or solicitation requires registration for the same term as the underlying offense.
If this is a first adult conviction, they must register for twenty-five (25) years unless a longer term is specified or present term limits are amended by statute for any of the following:
Criminal sodomy if victim is 16 or more years of age but less than 18 years of age and a member of the same sex or an animal, Indecent solicitation of a child, Electronic solicitation, Aggravated incest, Indecent liberties with a child, Unlawful sexual relations, Sexual exploitation of a child if the victim is 14 or more years of age but less than 18 years of age, Aggravated sexual battery, Promoting prostitution if the prostitute is 14 or more years of age but less than 18 years of age. This time period does not include any time incarcerated in any jail or correctional facility or any period of non-compliance with the requirements of the Act.
If convicted as an adult of a second or subsequent offense(s) covered by the Act, they will be required to register for life. Any conviction for an attempt, conspiracy or solicitation requires registration for the same term as the underlying offense.
The offender must register for life if convicted of any of the following crimes:
Rape, Aggravated indecent solicitation of a child, Aggravated indecent liberties with a child, Criminal sodomy if the victim is 14 or more years of age but less than 16 years of age or animal, Aggravated criminal sodomy, Aggravated human trafficking, Sexual exploitation of a child if the victim is less than 14 years of age, Promoting prostitution if the prostitute is less than 14 years of age, Kidnapping, Aggravated kidnapping, Any person who has been declared a sexually violent predator pursuant to K.S.A. 59-29a01 et seq. Any conviction for an attempt, conspiracy or solicitation requires registration for the same term as the underlying offense.
If the offender travels outside of the United States, they will report in person to the registering law enforcement agency and provide written notice to the Kansas bureau of investigation 21 days prior to any such travel. They will provide an itinerary including, but not limited to, destination, means of transport and duration of travel.
If the offender uses the internet, they are required to report to the registering law enforcement agency any and all: email addresses; online identities; information relating to membership in any and all personal web pages or online social networks; and internet screen names.
Pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 2250, if a sex offender fails to register or fails to report a change in residence, employment, or student status, and travels in or moves across state lines, the offender can be charged with a federal crime and punished by up to ten (10) years imprisonment.
If the offender receives an expungement for the crime that required registration, the registration obligation does not terminate.
What is your education?
” I graduated from Chanute High School in 1990. Graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1995 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Earned Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Pitt State in 2009.”
Your family?
” I have been married to my wife Angie for 21 years. We have two sons – Kaleb (20 and a sophomore at Neosho County Community College in Chanute), and Jacob (16 and a sophomore at FSHS).”
Hometown: Chanute
Why did you choose education as a career?
” I always enjoyed working with kids and looked at education as an opportunity to make a difference in young people’s lives. I also had several teachers and coaches growing up that had a strong impact on me, and I liked the possibility of having that same impact on my students and athletes that I would work with.”
Amber Toth was hired Tuesday at the USD 234 Board of Education meeting to be Fort Scott High School Assistant Principal starting in July.
The following is an interview fortscott.biz had with Toth.
What do you see as the strengths and challenges of the school you will be helping lead?
“The high school has many strengths. We have an amazing staff who is always striving to get better. We are focused on rigor and excellence. We are also working really hard to get curriculum aligned across the district, not just in the building. We have leaders in place who have the best interest of kids in mind, even when those decisions are hard. We have amazing programs within the school that provide every student the opportunity to find their niche. But just like any school, there is always room for improvement. I think one of the challenges we face is ensuring our instruction is relevant in making students college and career ready. It is my goal to provide as many opportunities to ensure our graduates have bright futures and are employable. I want to see those students bring innovation and vision to Fort Scott. We are also in transition with a new accreditation process. Pieces of this will require us to alter what we do in some areas. I am looking forward to helping a wonderful team become the best school that we can be.”
Why did you choose education?
“I had amazing teachers. There are some special ones that come to mind. Mr. Warnock was my 3rd grade teacher and taught me to love exploring. Mrs. Beardmore was my 5th grade teacher and taught me to love people, even when it was hard. Ms. Zimmerman was my high school English teacher and she taught me a love of literature. Kathy Faulkenberry was my debate and forensics coach and she taught me my passion. I knew from a young age that I wanted to make a difference in the world. I love making a difference in the lives of kids. I couldn’t imagine myself in another field. The teachers I had, inspired me to change lives the way they changed mine.”
Where did you receive your education?
“I have a Bachelors in English Education from Pittsburg State University that I earned in 2000. I also have a Masters in Educational Leadership that I earned in 2011 from Grand Canyon University.”
What is your past experience?
“Before coming to Fort Scott, I was an Advanced Placement English teacher and the Advanced Placement Coordinator. I also taught debate and forensics, as well as speech. In those roles in Caney, I wrote $25,000 worth of grants to expand our AP program. I also began my journey on the National Speech and Debate Association District Committee for the South Kansas District and directed the school play.”
“Since coming to Fort Scott, I have taught Dual Credit Speech, Debate and Forensics. I also started the school pantry. I am also certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid. I have had the privilege of presenting several in-service sessions to the staff on subjects ranging from instruction, project based learning, and suicide prevention.”
Toth hales from Caney, Ks. graduating from high school there in 1995, then taught there for eight years.
Tell about your family.
” I have been married to my husband, Travis Toth for 17 years. He teaches Social Studies and is the assistant coach for debate and forensics at Fort Scott High School. Before teaching, he was a law enforcement officer.
We have four children. Darby will be graduating this year and attending Washburn University in the fall. She plans to study Psychology. Madison is a Sophomore this year. She is active in debate, forensics, drama, choir and was chosen to attend the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) conference this summer. Trent is in 6th grade. He is a hard working young man who enjoys competing in robotics, middle school forensics, plays, sports and was recently chosen to be a page next month at the state capital. Kennedy is in 2nd grade. She is competitive, tenacious, and loves to participate in Tiger Cheer.
My parents are Michael and Penny Coy and they still reside in Caney
My sister, Sarah Bahr and her children also moved to Fort Scott. Sarah is a drug and alcohol counselor for Crawford County Mental Health and an assistant coach for debate and forensics. She has two children that attend school within our district., Ashton Nave,freshman, and Graci Nave, 8th grader ”
